Tag Archive for: metro

LA, Metro team up to launch cyber security mobile phone app – Daily News

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The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on Tuesday, Dec. 28, that it has teamed up with the city of Los Angeles to launch a free mobile security app — to protect people in L.A. County from cybersecurity threats on public WiFi systems.

“Providing a safe and secure environment for Los Angeles County’s 10 million residents to live and work is becoming just as important online as it has always been offline,” said Metro Board Chair and L.A. County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis.

“As L.A. County continues to expand public Wi-Fi access, including on its entire fleet of Metro buses, LA Secure offers an industry-leading technology to ensure all the activity they conduct on their mobile devices remains safe, private and secure.”

Officials say the “LA Secure” app will provide immediate protection against new and evolving threats on both for iPhone and Android mobile devices. Once the app is downloaded, it alerts the user to threats in real time and offers information about how to proceed. If someone attempts to connect to a rogue WiFi network, the app will immediately notify the user about the security risk. The app also provides protection against “phishing” — emails designed to fraudulently gather personal information.

“The city and county of Los Angeles have a responsibility to protect residents in both the physical and the digital realms — and it’s a responsibility we take very seriously,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “Through LA Secure, we’re making good on that commitment and empowering people with the resources they need to stay safe online.”

Metro said the app is part of a series of customer experience improvements, and all of its more than 2,300 transit buses already have free WiFi access. Cyber attackers increasingly target mobile devices because they do not have the same protections as desktops and laptop computers, Metro warned. Meanwhile, nearly half of all web traffic in the U.S. is done on mobile devices and smart phones, according to Metro.

“We are excited to offer the gift of online security to our customers this holiday season. We see LA Secure as another opportunity to provide greater access and equity for our…

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South metro Atlanta communities laying foundation to bridge digital divide – The Atlanta Journal Constitution

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South metro Atlanta communities laying foundation to bridge digital divide   The Atlanta Journal Constitution

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Metro Watchdog Safety Report Flags Fatigued Train Operators – NBC4 Washington

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Metro’s train and bus operators could be coming to the job tired and physically unfit to perform their duties, according to a report issued Tuesday by the transit agency’s top safety watchdog. 

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission flagged potential safety risks related to fatigued operators. Some of this could be because workers aren’t getting enough time off between shifts. 

In 2004, a Metro train at the Woodley Park station on the Red Line rolled backward thousands of feet. It crashed into another train, injuring 20 people. Video footage shows twisted, mangled wreckage. 

“It felt like an explosion. Everyone started running and screaming,” one man said. 

The train operator was found to have been tired and not alert, likely because of a lack of sleep. 

Almost 17 years later, the report issued Tuesday says Metro still isn’t doing enough to ensure that employees are rested and physically fit for the job.

“There are opportunities to improve the program to ensure that [operators] are as well rested as they can be. Again, this is a systemic audit – and we look at the systems, trying to give Metro every opportunity to prevent a safety event like a crash before it happens,” safety commission spokesman Max Smith said.

In addition to the 2004 crash, the safety commission pointed to lesser-known examples of train operator fatigue, including when workers have fallen asleep at the switch. 

Metro is reviewing the report and will respond with changes, a representative said. 

The transit agency has 30 days to address the issues.

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Friday, July 16, 2021, San Diego Metro Magazine

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The Global Chip Shortage Impact on American Automakers

Visual Capitalist

Chips, or semiconductor devices, are behind all of the world’s increasingly complex electrical and digital devices. 

That includes well-known items like computers and smartphones, but also other products that are becoming “smarter” including appliances, watches, and especially cars. 

The automotive industry accounts for a large share of global chip consumption, with modern cars having smart and complex entertainment systems, navigation, and sensors. A modern car can have anywhere from 500-1,500 different chips powering its different functions.

But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, shifting consumer demands and a slowing economy called for a reduction in semiconductor manufacturing. And unfortunately, it can take the supply chain a long time to come back online, as much as 1.5 years. 

American Manufacturers Take the Biggest Hit

As the global economy has started to bounce back and demand for digital devices has increased, the chip manufacturing supply chain has become strained on its still-low supply. And unfortunately for automakers, cars are taking the brunt of the hit.

Photo by Obi Onyeador on Unsplash

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Sports tech company BlazePod opens first U.S.
office in Vista to support company growth, strategy

BlazePod, the creator of the Flash Reflex (FRX) training program that combines cognitive intelligence with physical exercises to enable athletes of all levels to improve reaction time and performance, is opening an office in Vista.

BlazePod’s office is located at 1281 Liberty Way, Suite A, Vista. The U.S. BlazePod team is led by Brian Farber, head of business development, and Tom Judge, Head of U.S. marketing. The company is looking to hire additional employees in the San Diego area this year.

Founded in 2017, BlazePod has raised a total of $10 million in funding over two rounds, and has experienced exponential year-over-year growth. The San Diego-based team will focus on driving marketing initiatives and sales education, and will also oversee the company’s U.S. operations and strategy.

Rady Children’s…

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